Universal suicide screening in college primary care

Abstract

Objective Implementation of a universal primary care (PC) suicide-screening program in a college student health center to heighten awareness, provide support and enhance education of staff and students served. Program feasibility, data collection, electronic medical record (EMR) adaptations and staff learning outcomes were examined. Participants: 1,607 students with PC visits during Spring 2018 semester. Methods: Annual Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ-R), EMR template, safety alert, referral tracking and simulated staff training were employed. Chi-square tests assessed documentation, safety alerts and mental health referral changes. Paired t-tests evaluated staff learning outcomes. Results: 12.8% of students screened positively for suicide risk during implementation. Documentation consistency, EMR safety alert utilization, mental health referrals and subsequent appointments increased significantly. Staff learning outcomes yielded growth in knowledge and comfort with suicide screening and brief intervention. Conclusion: A comprehensive suicide-screening program is feasible for identifying students at-risk and promoting positive clinical changes in college PC practice settings.